Should You Renovate or Sell?

There’s no place like home, sure. But is that a good place to be? If you’ve been in your space for a while, it’s normal to start noticing the things that bug you, or worse, become immune to the house’s shortfalls. Your home should be your sanctuary. The real question is should you list it and move on? Or would a little TLC reignite the spark that made you fall in love with it in the first place?

While it’s easy to be lured away by a new home, sometimes a little nip/tuck action can be just what your home needs to make it comfortable and the perfect place to stay put. When renovated, fresh takes on old kitchens and baths can have a major impact. “Strategic kitchen and bathroom upgrades and remodels add the most value to a property,” explains Karol Hernandez, director of marketing at Lee Company.

If your kitchen needs a facelift, here are a few things to keep in mind. Total kitchen redos — replacing flooring, fixtures, appliances, etc. — are popular, sure. Who wouldn’t love an entirely new, state-of-the-art kitchen? But they are alsobig undertakings. If you’re not up for that sort of overhaul, you can still get a dramatic revamp with simple cabinet refacing. “If your space is functional, and your cabinets are sturdy, then refacing the cabinets may be just the right answer for you,” says Karol. Bear in mind, though, that smaller projects tend to cost more due to the inverse of economies. Meaning, if your kitchen is tiny and you want a new cabinetry look, you may actually be better off springing for new ones. If your kitchen is larger, though, refacing can be a good cost-saving measure that yields equally dramatic results.

This kitchen remodel features all the modern amenities, looks beautiful and pretty much would make us never want to list the house!

In the bathroom, one of the most popular renovations right now is the swapping of standard bathtubs for walk-in showers. “It updates the house, while enlarging the space and making it more useful,” Karol explains. “Sometimes the change is so drastic, it even adds space to an adjacent closet.” This change also makes sense for homeowners who plan to take in aging parents — or for those who want to grow old with their home. “Maybe getting out of your bathtub is not as safe or comfortable anymore, and walking into a shower is more convenient,” she adds. Also, those big jetted tubs were really popular in master bathrooms for a while, but, Karol explains, “they weren’t really used,” so transitioning them into showers is a viable option.

If you want to make the most of your renovation dollars, start by assessing how long you plan to be in the home. “If you’re planning to stay in your home, your remodeling approach is likely different than the approach you’ll want to take if you plan to sell,” Karol explains. “When someone tells us they’re moving in a year, we say, ‘Then maybe you don’t want to tackle a big project. Maybe you just want to focus on your kitchen because that’s where you’re going to get your value when you sell.’”

Lastly, if you’ll be in the home for five or more years, Karol endorses the use of tile or paint that goes with the decor and adds character. “But if you are looking to list your home in the next year or two, use neutral colors that will be appealing to most buyers.”

If you’ve decided to love your home instead of listing it, the most important step of all is finding a company you trust to bring your ideas to fruition. And while Pinterest boards are not a requirement, Karol says, “They help us to know what the customer is envisioning so that we can bring that vision to life.” And that should be the end goal of all parties involved, right?

Lee Company has been a Middle Tennessee home service provider since 1944. Specializing in heating and air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, appliance service, handyman service and home improvements, Lee Company has three generations of history and experience. Learn more at leecompany.com or (615) 567-1000.